Hidden from view down country lanes or taking pride of place in the county’s picturesque villages, the churches of Herefordshire stand ready to reveal their rich history and stunning architecture to visitors ...

St Catherine’s, Hoarwithy (Grade 1)
St Catherine’s was “beautified” by the vicar in the 1850s to become a dramatic and very different Italianate Romanesque and Byzantine building designed by J.P.Seddon. Look out for the arcaded walkway outside, the lovely Burne-Jones window on the west wall. Many of the church’s features were copied from abroad, including St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. 
Fairly steep walk up from road, but worth it. 


St Michael and All Angels, Eaton Bishop (Grade 1)
Situated at the highest point of the village, about 400 feet above sea level, the building existed prior to the Norman Conquest but the tower and church were enlarged after 1066. There is a rare and almost complete carriage drive around the church, and the medieval stained glass east window was judged “the finest decorated glass in the county” by Nicolas Pevsner.

St Tysilio’s, Sellack (Grade 1 )
The only English church dedicated to the Welsh Saint Tysilio, this 12th-century church enjoys an idyllic setting by the River Wye, and if featured as part of the Herefordshire trail on the old route across the Wye to Kings Caple. St Tysilio’s features a Jacobean pulpit and musician’s gallery. 


St Margaret’s, St Margarets (Grade 1)
Simple church of Norman origin with exquisitely-carved must-see oak roodscreen from c.1520
‘My own memory of the perfect Herefordshire is a spring day in the foothills of the Black Mountains and finding among the winding hilltop lanes the remote little church of St. Margaret’s where there was no sound but a farm dog’s distant barking.
Opening the church door I saw across the whole width of the little chancel a screen and loft all delicately carved and textured pale grey with time’.  John Betjeman


St George’s, Brinsop (Grade 1)
Among ‘England’s Thousand Best Churches (Simon Jenkins), on fortified site next to a lake, this church is full of dragon images as the field outside contains the well where the dragon lived before St. George killed it, while 19th century work includes windows and graves with William Wordsworth associations, whose family often visited.


St Mary’s, Foy (Grade 1)
Stone from the demolished castle of local lord, Sir Robet de Tregoz, who died at Evesham in 1256, was probably used to construct the 14th century bell tower of this 13th century church. Enjoy spectacular views across the Wye and wonderful walks from here. The rare decagonal font is the largest in Herefordshire.

All Saints, Monkland (Grade 2*)
Built by Norman monks from the Abbey of Conches about 1100. Sir Henry Williams Baker, known nationally and internationally as a hymn-writer, including ‘The King of Love my Shepherd is’ and for his role in the publication of Hymns Ancient and Modern, was vicar 1871-1877. The organ built in 1866 by J W Walker in accordance with Sir Henry Baker’s instructions. is listed by the British Institute Of Organ Studies as an instrument of importance to our national heritage.


St Michael and All Angels, Croft (Grade 1)
Adjacent to Croft Castle,  St Michael and All Angels houses the 16th Century chest tomb of Sir Richard and Lady Croft, and the bell turret with leaded ogee-shaped cupola from about 1700, incorporates a rare single-hand clock.


St Dubricius, Hentland
(Grade 1)
One of the oldest churches in the Ross and Archenfield deanery dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. Look for the hedgehog in the St Dubricius window (The Celts called ancient Archenfield “Ergyng”, meaning “Land of the Hedgehog”). In the churchard, a 14th century medieval cross features four effigies, and the Great Yew was planted on Shrove Tuesday in 1615!


St Barnabas, Brampton Bryan (Grade 1)
The original Norman church was largely demolished during Civil War siege of the adjacent castle, and the current church dates from 1656, one of only six churches known to have been allowed redevelopment during ‘Commonwealth’ (1649-60).
Featuring a combined nave and chancel, with and exceptional triple hammer beam roof, possibly from the ruined castle.


St Mary the Virgin, Welsh Newton (Grade 1)
This church belonged to the Knights Templar, as did the nearby St Michael’s Church in Garway, until it passed in 1312 to the Knights Hospitaller in 1312, who lost it more than 200 years later during the Reformation.
The ancient rood screen, dating from about 1320 displays ball flowers, typical of the period, and the present roof dates from the 16th century, although parts of the original remain. The churchyard extends to just over two acres and features a preaching cross with medieval steps and socket stone (for a medieval cross), and the grave of St John Kemble, the priest hanged at the age of 80.